The spirit of the 1980s is alive and high-kicking at Chemainus Theatre Festival this summer, as Footloose takes centre stage starting June 27.
Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack, a city teen who shakes up a small town where dancing has been banned. Directed by Mark DuMez, the musical brings big hair, totally tubular moves and a soundtrack of iconic pop hits to the stage.
Based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose blends high-energy choreography with themes of personal freedom, community healing and intergenerational understanding.
Choreographer and associate director Tracey Power said she turned to vintage music videos to prepare for the show.
“I watched Duran Duran videos,” she said with a laugh. “I watched old '80s videos. Remember how MuchMusic always had such awesome videos? Madonna’s videos? Come on! And storytelling through music videos. I miss that.”
For Power, the celebrated director, writer, choreographer and actor, who created such hit shows as Chelsea Hotel and Glory, the key to unlocking Footloose was a deep dive into the most popular dance moves of the day.
“It was fun to ask, what were these kids seeing on TV or wishing they could do in a town where you're not allowed to dance anymore?” Power asked herself. “What were they hearing on the radio when they were sneaking it?”
However, Power said choreographing dance in a no-dancing town came with creative challenges.
“When you're staging a number, it's always telling a story, so it's kind of different than ‘we're having a dance party and then we're just dancing all over the place,’” she said. “So it was a bit of a like, ‘Oh no, how am I going to do this?’ at first, and then you realize, ‘Oh wait a minute, no, it's still a musical. We're still telling a story through movement and dance and music.’”
Her favourite number in the show? “I love 'Holding Out for a Hero' because it makes my 12-year-old self happy,” she said. “I think every kid grabbed the hairspray bottle at one time and sang and danced in front of the mirror. Or maybe it was just me.”
Vancouver-based actor Cassandra Consiglio is one of those young performers getting to learn from Power’s wisdom of the ‘80s. She plays Ariel, the pastor’s rebellious daughter. Consiglio said she’s fallen in love with both the show and her character.
“I love Ariel for so many reasons,” Consiglio said. “One of my favourite things about her is that she sticks up for the people that she loves, and I fully resonate with that. She knows who she is and she's strong in that and she doesn't change who she is for anybody else's benefit. I've enjoyed getting to live with her for the past few weeks and now for the rest of the summer.”
Consiglio was last in Chemainus performing the role of Maria in 9 to 5 and is thrilled to be back.
“It's like this magical place that you get to do what you love and you're also kind of at summer camp,” she said. “There are so many beautiful things to do on the Island and you can get away from the hustle and bustle and just really focus on this project. It's a really incredible gift that Chemainus gives to a lot of performers.”
Consiglio, who grew up as a dancer in Winnipeg, also named 'Holding Out for a Hero' as her favourite number, as it’s one she performs with Ariel’s trio of best friends.
“I love the female friendships in the show,” she said. “I think that's my favourite part of the show because it's a moment for the four of us girls to just be together. I look forward to that moment.”
Chemainus Theatre Festival Artistic Director Mark DuMez said Footloose brings more than just dance and nostalgia.
“It's a story that's both vintage and timely, as a small town discovers that stringent traditions and old fears must give way to embracing freedom, joy, and a truer life,” he said. “It's summer fun and song with some powerful undercurrents of family trust, community care and personal responsibility and growth.”
Rounding out the cast are Erin Ormond, Marija Danyluk, Kevin Owen Clark, Antony Knight, Tiana Jung, Oliver Kadar, Rachel Park, Hal Wesley Rogers, Jamieson Wickham, Niah Davis, Alora Killam, and Dustyn Forbes. Musical direction is by Heather Burns. Set and lighting design by Hans Saefkow and Nicole Lamb bring the 1980s to life, along with costumes by Crystal Hanson.
Footloose runs June 27 to Aug. 25 at Chemainus Theatre Festival. Tickets start at $23 and are available at chemainustheatre.ca or by calling 250-246-9820. Dining packages and getaway deals are also available.
Power is confident audiences will love the show as much as she and the rest of the team do.
“It's a joy,” she said. “And we all need joy. The more joy the better right now. We need laughs, we need joy, we need to be together with friends and have a good time.”
So if you’re ready to lose your blues, get your tickets today and, in the words of Kenny Loggins, everybody cut footloose.
